Political Fix

3.7 (3)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 HR AGO

Labour braces for ballot box bloodbath

With just one week to go before voters across the UK deliver their verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s government – our panel discusses another agonising week for the PM, Labour’s forecast devastation at the polls, and how No 10 can regroup in the aftermath. Other talking points include the momentum behind Reform UK and the Green party — and the hurdles that threaten to trip them up. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and political columnist Stephen Bush. Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen @stephenkb & @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda & @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Want more? What to expect in the May local elections What Labour’s likely meltdown means for the UK The problematic inevitability of Andy Burnham Reform UK and Greens hit controversy on election trail Golders Green stabbing suspect was previously referred to Prevent Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode right after the local elections, on Monday May 11. Email: politicalfix@ft.com You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Mixing and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

37 min
2 DAYS AGO

Introducing: The Story of Money

The economist John Kenneth Galbraith once quipped that “there can be few fields of human endeavour in which history counts for so little as in the world of finance.” This show sets out to prove the opposite. Each week, FT columnist Gillian Tett and FT Alphaville editor Robin Wigglesworth dig into the ideas, personalities and institutions that have shaped global finance. From unregulated banking in 19th-century frontier America to institutionalised debt jubilees in ancient Mesopotamia, and from the birth of credit derivatives to the great market meltdowns of the past, Robin and Gillian uncover the story of money because time and again, the same manias and mistakes resurface. Tune in and you might just understand where the next financial opportunities and disasters could be hiding. Subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts and watch the show on YouTube. Learn more about the show at ft.com/tsom and find out more about Gillian Tett here and Robin Wigglesworth here. Follow FT Alphaville here. Hosts: Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth Producer: Lulu Smyth Senior Producer: Michela Tindera Executive Producers: Flo Phillips and Manuela Saragosa Original music and sound engineering: Breen Turner Podcast Development: Laura Clarke Global Head of Audio: Cheryl Brumley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 min
24 APR

The Mandelson Starmer saga stumbles on

The rolling drama over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador is eating the government alive, with more committee hearings coming next week and crucial elections for Labour on May 7. This week’s host Miranda Green discusses the cost of the Mandelson saga for Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, political correspondent Anna Gross and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, the panel debates Ed Miliband’s electricity announcement, Reform’s new plan for mass deportations, and a booming but dysfunctional market in business courses. Follow: Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social, Anna: @AnnaSophieGross and annasophiegross.bsky.social Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more? Cabinet Office head says Olly Robbins refused to give her Mandelson vetting documents Starmer’s political woes deepen as Mandelson scandal saps his authority Sadiq Khan: Labour risks being ‘stonked’ in London elections Business degrees are booming in the UK. Who is profiting? How many people would Reform UK deport? Economic pessimism plagues UK youth Ed Miliband unveils move to delink UK gas and electricity prices Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode right after the local elections on Monday May 11. Email: politicalfix@ft.com Sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Miranda Green and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Edwin Lane. Mixing and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

37 min
17 APR

Labour lambasted over defence

It’s not just the Trump administration attacking the UK’s defence capabilities. Now a Labour grandee and former head of Nato, Lord George Robertson, has accused Sir Keir Starmer of ‘corrosive complacency’ over delays to defence spending. With the 10-year plan for defence stuck in deadlock, host Lucy Fisher discusses the choices faced by the PM with chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and political columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter, Stephen Bush. Plus, they look ahead to country-wide elections in less than three weeks and hear about the developing story around the vetting of Lord Mandelson. NOTE: This episode was recorded on Thursday April 16. Follow Lucy: @LOS_Fisher and @lucyfisher.ft.com; Stephen: @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim: @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Want more? Starmer accused of ‘corrosive complacency’ on UK defence by former Nato chief UK defence ministry left to foot £200mn bill for Ukraine mission Rebuke by former Nato chief points to wider government inaction Keir Starmer plans May relaunch with King’s Speech The great independence charade Foreign Office top civil servant forced out over Mandelson vetting fiasco No scenario in latest Mandelson drama makes Keir Starmer look good Sign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Plus, send in your questions for a special Political Fix Q&A episode on May 11th. Email: politicalfix@ft.com Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Edwin Lane. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35 min
10 APR

Squeezed Britain: student loans, salaries and strikes

Sir Keir Starmer had promised 2026 would be the year the UK economy and household finances would finally “turn the corner”. But the Iran war has nixed those hopes. Now the pressure from unions to increase public sector pay is mounting, and resident doctors are continuing their rolling strikes. Student finance remains another open sore despite the announcement of a cap on loan interest rates. To discuss the pressures on the public purse, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, with local elections just weeks away, the panel also discusses the prime minister’s trip to the Middle East. Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more? Starmer leans into his Iran response to resonate with voters Unions prepare for UK public sector pay push as inflation bites UK health officials discuss banning doctors from going on strike What happens when the Green Party governs? Capping student loan interest rates is a step in the right direction NHS data chief pushes for deeper rollout of Palantir technology despite outcry Can the Iran war save Keir Starmer’s premiership? UK exposes covert Russian submarine operation The political power struggle behind the Bayeux Tapestry Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question-and-answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.com Sign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Sean McGarrity. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

36 min
2 APR

Trump taunts drive Starmer into EU’s arms

Donald Trump has heaped insults on Sir Keir Starmer in recent weeks over his stance on the Iran war. The US president labelled the UK prime minister “no Winston Churchill”, said Britain’s aircraft carriers were mere “toys” and told Britain to “go get your own oil” from the Gulf. So perhaps it’s unsurprising that the PM appears to be pivoting heavily towards the EU. Host Lucy Fisher unpicks the shift with colleagues Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Robert Shrimsley. They also discuss how the Middle East conflict will play out in the upcoming local elections. Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.com Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna @AnnaSophieGross & @annasophiegross.bsky.social Want more? Keir Starmer signals major UK pivot towards EU after Donald Trump’s taunts Lessons from history on how to survive a fuel crisis Cracks appear in US-UK security co-operation after Trump-Starmer tensions Starmer strikes upbeat note amid dismal polling ahead of May 7 local elections Political drama reaches heart of UK’s nuclear deterrent Hammering Farage-Trump links could suppress Reform’s poll lead Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Sean McGarrity. The broadcast engineers were Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of Audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

41 min
27 MAR

The case for keeping Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer’s authority is slipping and Westminster is alive with speculation about potential successors. But chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley joins host Lucy Fisher, alongside deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and public policy editor Chris Smyth, to argue why he believes Labour may be better off sticking with Starmer. The panel also discuss the government’s plans to ban political donations in cryptocurrency and cap overseas donations at £100,000 a year. What does it mean for Reform UK, which has been a major beneficiary of overseas donors and crypto donations? Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question and answer episode. Email your questions to politicalfix@ft.com Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher, and Bluesky: @lucyfisher.ft.com; Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; & Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more? The case for keeping Keir Starmer a little longer Starmer set to make Sadiq Khan a Lord Overseas donations to UK parties to be capped at £100,000 Companies face having to declare individuals behind UK political donations Net zero is not a zero-sum game Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineer was Bianca Wakeman and Petros Gioumpasis. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

38 min
23 MAR

Introducing Untold: Opus Dei

Introducing Opus Dei, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Antonia Cundy uncovers the cultural and political influence of a controversial Catholic organisation in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas – and unexpected harm – entangled in that spiritual mission. The first episode of Untold: Opus Dei launches March 25. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 min

See All (588)

Lucy Fisher

Host
Sebastian Payne

Host
Jim Pickard

Guest
Anna Gross

Guest
Chris Smyth

Guest
Stephen Bush

Guest
Robert Shrimsley

Guest
George Parker

Guest
Miranda Green

Guest
Sam Fleming

Guest

3.7

out of 5

3 Ratings

Superb!

12/10/2019

JussiTheListener

My main channel of important news!
Terrible presenters - both old and new

13/08/2023

MikeWal22

The presenter is very annoying. In the early days he always used to ask for good reviews and nice comments only. Now he’s toned it down to “we like positive reviews and nice comments”. Throughout he has thanked people “for joining” - should be “for joining me” or “joining the discussion” of course. Then it’s always “at the top” in the latest podcast it was “at the top of the program” - if he can manage that “at the start of the program” is only two letters more”! If it weren’t for the above the podcast would have got either four or five stars because of the quality of discussions. As it is you’re lucky to get three stars as asking for “good reviews only” made me intend to put two (or one - US) fingers in the air in your direction and give you one or two. Even the new presenter had started saying “thank you for joining” even though I have many times tweeted the FT with my disgust about this. Now I can’t stand it any more and I quit.

The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.